The Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board has taken a decisive step to regulate public discourse among religious performers, officially banning all forms of public debates involving praise singers of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) within the state. This significant announcement was made on Tuesday, September 16, by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Abba El-Mustapha, who underscored the move as essential for fostering peace, maintaining public order, and ensuring legal compliance among entertainers and religious figures in Kano State.

In immediate response to a recent incident, the board also issued summons to two prominent artists, Usman Mai Dubun Isa and Shehi Mai Tajul-Izzi. This action came barely 24 hours after a contentious public debate between the two individuals surfaced online, an event the board explicitly characterized as a direct violation of its established operational guidelines. The board's spokesperson, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, conveyed El-Mustapha’s firm stance, reiterating that any form of religious debate within the state is now strictly prohibited unless it receives official, prior approval from the board itself.

Further demonstrating its commitment to enforcing these new directives, the Executive Secretary inaugurated a specialized investigative committee. This committee, tasked with delving into the recent incident and similar future occurrences, is headed by Isah Abdullahi, the Director of Special Duties for the board. All individuals who have been summoned, including the aforementioned artists, have been directed to appear before this committee to provide clarification and answer questions pertaining to the alleged violations.

The board issued a stern warning that organizing such debates without its explicit authorization would constitute a serious breach of the law, potentially attracting severe penalties for all parties involved. It reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to diligently regulating the activities of all entertainers across Kano State. Additionally, the board appealed to the public to uphold peace and to continue lending their support to its ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting cultural harmony and mutual understanding throughout the community.